It is amazing how much LBritain lifted off of his characters.... even the red hair and glasses character who pushes the wheelchair are straight from the quiz show. It is like they ripped off either Fry and Laurie or Steve Coogan for everything...and then just repeated catch phrases. Coogan can make one genius character after another.
Coogan's been around a hell of a lot longer than Gervais and can do so much more. Gervais, while funny, is EXTREMELY limited in his acting. Coogan has literally - and can, literally - do anything and everything. He has dozens of characters, whereas Gervais has about two. If anyone is reaching up, it's Gervais, trying to eventually reach Coogan's status. The only reason Gervais is more famous than Coogan in the U.S. is because of the American version of "The Office" and hosting award shows.